We all love a good home-cooked meal but nobody loves the mountain of dishes that comes after. That is where one pan dinner recipes come in. With just a single skillet, sheet pan, or baking dish you can create incredible, flavor-packed meals that satisfy the whole family and leave you with almost zero cleanup.
These 10 one pan dinner recipes are simple, hearty, and packed with flavor. Whether you are a busy parent, a beginner cook, or simply someone who hates doing dishes, these recipes were made for you. Save this post to your Pinterest one pan dinner board and make weeknight cooking easier than ever!
1. One Pan Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans
This simple and satisfying dinner comes together in just 25 minutes using a single skillet. The garlic butter sauce ties the juicy chicken and tender green beans together in the most delicious way.
What you need: Chicken thighs, fresh green beans, butter, garlic, chicken broth, lemon juice, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
How to make it: Season the chicken thighs with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sear in olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside. In the same pan melt the butter and sauté the garlic for one minute. Add the green beans and chicken broth and cook for 4 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan, squeeze over lemon juice, and cook for another 5 minutes until everything is cooked through and coated in the buttery sauce.
Pro tip: Trim the green beans to the same length before cooking so they cook evenly and look beautiful on the plate.
2. Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs and Roasted Vegetables
This colorful sheet pan dinner is as easy as it gets. Everything roasts together on one pan, the vegetables caramelize beautifully, and the chicken comes out golden and juicy every single time.
What you need: Bone-in chicken thighs, baby potatoes, zucchini, red onion, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
How to make it: Halve the baby potatoes and chop the vegetables into similar sized pieces. Toss everything together with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Spread on a large sheet pan and nestle the seasoned chicken thighs on top. Roast at 400°F for 35 to 40 minutes until the chicken skin is crispy and golden and the vegetables are tender and caramelized at the edges.
Pro tip: Place the chicken thighs skin side up directly on top of the vegetables so the dripping chicken fat bastes the vegetables as everything roasts together.
3. One Pan Creamy Mushroom Pasta
This rich and creamy mushroom pasta is made entirely in one pan — even the pasta cooks right in the sauce, absorbing all that incredible flavor. It is ready in 30 minutes and tastes absolutely luxurious.
What you need: Penne or spaghetti, mushrooms, garlic, heavy cream, chicken or vegetable broth, parmesan cheese, butter, fresh thyme, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.
How to make it: Melt butter in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Sauté the mushrooms until golden and all moisture has evaporated, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and thyme and cook for one minute. Add the uncooked pasta, broth, and cream. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for 12 to 14 minutes until the pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened. Stir in parmesan and garnish with fresh parsley.
Pro tip: Stir the pasta every 2 minutes while it cooks in the sauce to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
4. One Pan Sausage, Peppers and Onions
This hearty Italian-inspired skillet dinner is bursting with flavor and comes together in just 25 minutes. The combination of juicy sausage, sweet peppers, and caramelized onions is a match made in heaven.
What you need: Italian sausage links, red and yellow bell peppers, onion, garlic, canned diced tomatoes, olive oil, Italian seasoning, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
How to make it: Slice the sausage into rounds and brown in olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden on both sides. Remove and set aside. In the same pan sauté the sliced peppers and onion for 5 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized. Add the garlic, chili flakes, and Italian seasoning. Pour in the diced tomatoes and return the sausage to the pan. Simmer for 10 minutes until everything is cooked through. Serve with crusty bread or over polenta.
Pro tip: Let the peppers and onions cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes at a time to develop beautiful caramelization rather than just steaming them.
5. Sheet Pan Salmon with Asparagus and Lemon
This elegant yet incredibly simple sheet pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something healthy and impressive. Salmon and asparagus roast together in just 15 minutes making this the fastest dinner on the list.
What you need: Salmon fillets, asparagus, lemon, garlic, butter, olive oil, dried dill, salt, and pepper.
How to make it: Arrange the asparagus spears on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Place the salmon fillets on top of the asparagus. Mix softened butter with garlic and dill and spread over each salmon fillet. Lay lemon slices on top. Roast at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes until the salmon flakes easily and the asparagus is tender with slightly crispy tips.
Pro tip: Choose asparagus spears that are all roughly the same thickness so they cook at the same rate as the salmon.
6. One Pan Mexican Rice and Beef
This smoky, hearty one pan meal is packed with bold Mexican flavors and is a guaranteed family pleaser. The rice cooks directly in the pan soaking up all the delicious beef and tomato flavors.
What you need: Ground beef, long grain white rice, canned diced tomatoes, chicken broth, onion, garlic, bell pepper, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, shredded cheddar cheese, and fresh cilantro.
How to make it: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any excess fat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the spices and uncooked rice, coating everything well. Pour in the diced tomatoes and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover tightly, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes until the rice has absorbed all the liquid. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Pro tip: Resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice is cooking — the trapped steam is essential for perfectly cooked fluffy rice.
7. One Pan Honey Garlic Pork Chops
These juicy, caramelized honey garlic pork chops are cooked entirely in one skillet and are on the table in just 20 minutes. The sweet and savory glaze is absolutely addictive and pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or steamed rice.
What you need: Bone-in pork chops, honey, soy sauce, garlic, butter, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
How to make it: Season the pork chops generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over high heat and sear the pork chops for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium and melt butter in the same pan. Sauté the garlic for 30 seconds then add honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Return the pork chops to the pan and cook for 3 to 4 more minutes, spooning the glaze over them continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the chops beautifully.
Pro tip: Bring the pork chops to room temperature 15 minutes before cooking so they sear evenly without the outside overcooking before the center is done.
8. Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
These smoky, colorful sheet pan shrimp fajitas are a lighter and faster alternative to the classic chicken version. Everything roasts together in just 12 minutes making this the perfect last-minute weeknight dinner.
What you need: Large shrimp, red and green bell peppers, red onion, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, lime juice, flour tortillas, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.
How to make it: Toss the shrimp, sliced peppers, and onion with olive oil and all the spices. Spread in a single layer on a large sheet pan. Roast at 425°F for 10 to 12 minutes until the shrimp are pink and cooked through and the vegetables have slightly charred edges. Squeeze fresh lime juice over everything. Serve immediately in warm flour tortillas with sour cream and fresh cilantro.
Pro tip: Do not overcrowd the sheet pan — use two pans if necessary so everything roasts rather than steams.
9. One Pan Spinach and Tomato Gnocchi
This creamy, vibrant gnocchi dish is made entirely in one skillet in under 20 minutes and looks stunning on the table. The pillowy soft gnocchi soaks up the rich tomato cream sauce making every bite incredibly satisfying.
What you need: Store-bought potato gnocchi, canned crushed tomatoes, fresh spinach, heavy cream, garlic, onion, parmesan cheese, butter, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
How to make it: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until soft. Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and chili flakes and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the cream and add the uncooked gnocchi directly to the sauce. Cover and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are cooked through and pillowy soft. Stir in fresh spinach until wilted and finish with grated parmesan.
Pro tip: No need to boil the gnocchi separately — cooking them directly in the sauce saves time and allows them to absorb all that delicious flavor.
10. One Pan Teriyaki Chicken and Broccoli
This better-than-takeout teriyaki chicken and broccoli is made in a single skillet and ready in just 25 minutes. The homemade teriyaki sauce is sticky, sweet, and packed with umami flavor that the whole family will love.
What you need: Chicken breast or thighs, broccoli florets, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, cornstarch, sesame seeds, green onions, and steamed rice for serving.
How to make it: Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and cook in a hot oiled skillet for 5 to 6 minutes until golden. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 3 minutes. Mix together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and cornstarch to make the teriyaki sauce. Pour over the chicken and broccoli and toss everything together over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything in a glossy glaze. Serve over steamed rice and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Pro tip: Mix the cornstarch into the cold sauce before adding it to the hot pan to prevent lumps and ensure a perfectly smooth glossy glaze.
Conclusion
One pan dinners are truly the secret weapon of every busy home cook. Less prep, less cleanup, and absolutely no compromise on flavor. These 10 one pan dinner recipes prove that you can have a delicious, satisfying, home-cooked meal on the table every single night of the week without spending hours in the kitchen or tackling a huge pile of dishes afterward.
Which one pan dinner are you trying first? Leave a comment below and let us know! And if you found this helpful, save it to your Pinterest one pan dinner board so it is always just one click away on a busy weeknight.
Want more easy dinner ideas? Explore our full recipe collection for more simple, family-friendly meals that make weeknight cooking a breeze!
